Psalms 38
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
To bring to remembrance, or, remind God of His mercy and himself of his sin. Appealing to God for relief from His heavy chastisement, the Psalmist avows his integrity before men, complains of the defection of friends and persecution of enemies, and in a submissive spirit, casting himself on God, with penitent confession he pleads God's covenant relation and his innocence of the charges of his enemies, and prays for divine comfort and help. (Psa. 38:1-22) He deprecates deserved punishment, which is described (Psa 6:1), under the figure of bodily disease [Psa 38:3].
Open source ↗O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure,.... This and the following clause are the same as in Psa 6:1, only instead of wrath there it is anger; See Gill on Psa 6:1. . Psalms 38:2 psa 38:2 psa 38:2 psa 38:2For thine arrows stick fast in me,.... Meaning either words with which as a father the Lord rebuked him; and which were sharp and cutting, entered into him and abode with him, and gave him much pain and uneasiness; and by which he concluded that his rebukes were in wrath and hot displeasure; such as those in Sa2 12:11; so the words of men are compared to arrows, Psa 57:4 or outward afflictions, attended with inward trouble of soul; for as judgments are the arrows of God, such as famine, pestilence, &c. Eze 5:16, Deu 32:21; so the chastening dispensations of Providence, under which the people of God themselves are, are so called, because they oftentimes come swiftly, suddenly, and at unawares, and are very pungent and distressing; and sometimes stick fast and continue long, by reason of which they are inwardly wounded, and conceive of God as sorely displeased with them; see Job 6:4; and thy hand presseth me sore; the afflicting hand of God, which lay heavy upon him; and is a mighty hand when laid on such worms as mortal sinful men are, who cannot bear up under it, unless they have divine supports; see Job 19:21. This is by some supposed to be some bodily disease inflicted on him; some have thought of the leprosy, which was a stroke from the hand of God; but this is not likely, since he must have been deposed and shut up; the Jews indeed say (e) that he was a leper six months, and that the divine Presence was taken from him; a late learned man (f) thinks it was the smallpox, from the unsoundness of his flesh, the soreness of the dise…
Open source ↗(Heb.: 38:2-9) David begins, as in Psa 6:1-10, with the prayer that his punitive affliction may be changed into disciplinary. Bakius correctly paraphrases. Psa 38:2 : Corripe sane per legem, castiga per crucem, millies promerui, negare non possum, sed castiga, quaeso, me ex amore ut pater, non ex furore et fervore ut judex; ne punias justitiae rigore, sed misericordiae dulcore (cf. on Psa 6:2). The negative is to be repeated in Psa 38:2, as in Psa 1:5; Psa 9:19; Psa 75:6. In the description, which give the ground of the cry for pity, נחת, is not the Piel, as in Psa 18:35, but the Niphal of the Kal נחת immediately following (root נח). קצף is anger as a breaking forth, fragor (cf. Hos 10:7, lxx φρύγανον), with ĕ instead of ı̆ in the first syllable, vowels which alternate in this word; and חמה, as a glowing or burning. חצּים (in Homer, κῆλα), God's wrath-arrows, i.e., lightnings of wrath, are His judgments of wrath; and יד, as in Psa 32:4; Psa 39:11, God's punishing hand, which makes itself felt in dispensing punishment, hence תּנחת might be attached as a mood of sequence. In Psa 38:4 wrath is called זעם as a boiling up. Sin is the cause of this experiencing wrath, and the wrath is the cause of the bodily derangement; sin as an exciting cause of the wrath always manifests itself outwardly even on the body as a fatal power. In Psa 38:5 sin is compared to waters that threaten to drown one, as in Psa 38:5 to a burden that presses one down. ככבּדוּ ממּנּי, they are heavier than I, i.e., than my power of endurance, too heavy for me. In Psa 38:6 the effects of the operation of the divine hand (as punishing) are wounds, חבּוּרת (properly, suffused variegated marks from a blow or wheals, Isa 1:6; from חבר, Arab. ḥbr, to be or make striped, variegated), which הבאישׁוּ, send for…
Open source ↗The title of this psalm is very observable; it is a psalm to bring to remembrance; the 70th psalm, which was likewise penned in a day of affliction, is so entitled. It is designed, 1. To bring to his own remembrance. We will suppose it penned when he was sick and in pain, and then it teaches us that times of sickness are times to bring to remembrance, to bring the sin to remembrance, for which God contended with us, to awaken our consciences to deal faithfully and plainly with us, and set our sins in order before us, for our humiliation. In a day of adversity consider. Or we may suppose it penned after his recovery, but designed as a record of the convictions he was under and the workings of his heart when he was in affliction, that upon every review of this psalm he might call to mind the good impressions then made upon him and make a fresh improvement of them. To the same purport was the writing of Hezekiah when he had been sick. 2. To put others in mind of the same things which he was himself mindful of, and to teach them what to think and what to say when they are sick and in affliction; let them think as he did, and speak as he did. I. He deprecates the wrath of God and his displeasure in his affliction (Psa 38:1): O Lord! rebuke me not in thy wrath. With this same petition he began another prayer for the visitation of the sick, Psa 6:1. This was most upon his heart, and should be most upon ours when we are in affliction, that, however God rebukes and chastens us, it may not be in wrath and displeasure, for that will be wormwood and gall in the affliction and misery. Those that would escape the wrath of God must pray against that more than any outward affliction, and be content to bear any outward affliction while it comes from, and consists with, the love of God.…
Open source ↗Ps 38 This psalm is a lament and prayer for healing. The psalmist’s suffering is associated with his unconfessed sin. He confesses his sin and entrusts his case to the Lord. 38:title asking God to remember him: The meaning of this phrase is uncertain (also in 70:title). 38:1-17 These verses form a prelude to the psalmist’s confession (38:18) and describe his woeful condition. 38:1-4 The psalmist’s sins had triggered the Lord’s anger and rage, resulting in the arrows and blows of discipline and rebuke; as a result, his whole body is sick.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife יָסַר (yâçar, H3256) — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
Open source ↗חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… נָחַת (nâchath, H5181) — to sink, i.e. descend; causatively, to press or lead down יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗מְתֹם (mᵉthôm, H4974) — wholesomeness; also (adverb) completely בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… זַעַם (zaʻam, H2195) — strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,…
Open source ↗חַבּוּרָה (chabbûwrâh, H2250) — properly, bound (with stripes), i.e. a weal (or black-and-blue mark itself) בָּאַשׁ (bâʼash, H887) — to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally מָקַק (mâqaq, H4743) — to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אִוֶּלֶת (ʼivveleth, H200) — silliness
Open source ↗עָוָה (ʻâvâh, H5753) — to crook, literally or figuratively שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) קָדַר (qâdar, H6937) — to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗כֶּסֶל (keçel, H3689) — properly, fatness, i.e. by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat)… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) קָלָה (qâlâh, H7033) — to toast, i.e. scorch partially or slowly מְתֹם (mᵉthôm, H4974) — wholesomeness; also (adverb) completely בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the…
Open source ↗פּוּג (pûwg, H6313) — to be sluggish מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… דָּכָה (dâkâh, H1794) — to collapse (phys. or mentally) שָׁאַג (shâʼag, H7580) — to rumble or moan נְהָמָה (nᵉhâmâh, H5100) — snarling לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) תַּאֲוָה (taʼăvâh, H8378) — a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm) אֲנָחָה (ʼănâchâh, H585) — sighing סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… סָחַר (çâchar, H5503) — to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic) אַיִן (ʼayin, H369) — a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle
Open source ↗אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) נֶגֶד (neged, H5048) — a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial,… נֶגַע (negaʻ, H5061) — a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous… קָרוֹב (qârôwb, H7138) — near (in place, kindred or time) רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used…
Open source ↗בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… נָקַשׁ (nâqash, H5367) — to entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… הַוָּה (havvâh, H1942) — by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin הָגָה (hâgâh, H1897) — to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder מִרְמָה (mirmâh, H4820) — fraud יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗חֵרֵשׁ (chêrêsh, H2795) — deaf (whether literally or spiritual) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אִלֵּם (ʼillêm, H483) — speechless פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.
O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Hurry, O LORD, to help me!
Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice— not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.
O LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe, O LORD, of Your deeds. Revive them in these years; make them known in these years. In Your wrath, remember mercy!
Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah
For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well.